Calculating-machine.



A. s. DENNIS CALCULATING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 31, 1910.

Patented Oct. 20, 1914.

3 SHEETSSHEET 1.

A. S! DENNIS.

, CALCULATING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED OUT. 31, 1910.

Patented Oct. 20, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

1 A, S. DENNIS.

CALCULATING MAGHINE. -APPLIOATION FILED 60131, 1910 Patented 0013. 20,1914.

S'SHBBTS SHEBT 3.

mm N N N n m w UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ADOLPHUS S. DENNIS, 0F LAKEWOOID, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE JAMES J. HINDECOMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

CALCULATING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 20, 1914.

Application filed October 31, 1910. Serial No. 590,013.

residing at Lakewood, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Calculating-lliachines,of which the following is a, specification, reference being had thereinto the accompanying drawings.

The invention relates to computing machines of that type in which aplurality of independentlyadjustable charts, each carrying a series ofcomputations are arranged for operation either separately or in con--junction. -The adjustment of the charts is effected by winding them fromone roll to another, each chart being provided with a set of rolls andthe computations on the chart being exhibited in adjacence to indexstrips upon which factors of the computations are placed. The indexstrips have arranged thereon, a series of consecutive numbers, as forexample the series 1 to 100, while the charts are provided with a seriesof consecutive numbers extendin in the direction of their adjustment andin line with each of said numbers, a series of computationscorresponding to the products of the said number and each of the numbersin the index. Thus, by suitable adjustment of the chart any desiredcomputation within the limits of the instrument may be quickly obtained.

It is an object of the present invention to greatly extend the range ofwork possible with 'the machine without materially inv creasing thedimensions of the case or the size of the charts employed.

It is a further object to obtain a mechanical construction whichfacilitates the rapid adjustment of the charts to exhibit.

the desired computation and also maintain the index strip in proximityto the chart/in all positions of adjustment thereof.

Still further, it is an object to provide charts withadd'itionalselected lata which may be used for other calculations than thoseeffected by the main series, without interference with the latter andwithout com lication of the mechanical construction of t e machine.

With these objects in view the invention consists, first, in the novelconstruction and arrangement of the cooperating mechanical parts;sccond, in the arrangement in proximity to the computations ofsubstitute comp'utations, complementary to main computations to extendthe range thereof; third, in

imparting to the auxiliary partial computations a distinctive characterso as to avoid confusing with the main computations; fourth, in thepeculiar construction and arrangement of the index strip; and, fifth, inthe arrangement of the selected data other than the main computationsupon the several charts of the machine.

In the drawings,Figure 1 is a perspective view of the machine complete;Fig. 2 is an elevation of-a portion of one of the charts andthe indextherefor illustrating the arrangement of the main and substitutecomputations; Fig. 3 is a diagram of the chart of the machine showingthe general arrangement of the auxiliary data thereon; Fig. 4 is a crosssection through the machine; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of theindex strips; Fig.6 is a longitudinal section through the axial plane ofa pair of rolls showing the compensating mechanism therefor. Fig. 7 isan elevation of a portion of one of the charts showing the selected databased on a fractional head numeral; Fig. 8 is an elevation of a portionof oneof the charts showing the selected data based on width of lumber.

In the present state of the art, machines of the type above referred tohave been constructed comprising a plurality of charts wound upon pairsof rolls arranged adjacent to each other and having index stripstherebetween. Upon the charts are longitudinally extending parallelseries of computations in transverse alinemeut with a head series ofnumerals which forms factors thereof. The index strips are also providedwith consecutive series of numerals registering respectively with thecomputations in. the parallel series on the chart and constituting theother factors of the computations. The arrangement is such that thesuccessive charts bear the computations forming complementary portionsof one series, as for instance, the

first chart may contain the head numerals and computations thereof ofthe series v 1 to 100, the second chart of the series 101 to 200 and soon. Thus inuse the operator may quickly select any desired computationwithin the range of the instrument by adjusting the proper chartcontaining one factor of the computation'in its head numerals, and whenthis number is in view selecting the other factor from the series ofnumerals on the index strip and taking a reading. of the computationadjacent thereto. It is obvious, however, that the range of work withsuch machines is limited as it" is scarcely possible o convenientlyarrange, within practical space limits, a series of numerals on theindex strip greater than from 1 to 100. This limits the range tomultiplications having one factor thereof containing only two figuresbut the other factor may be three figures if a suitable number ofadjacent complementary charts are placed within the instrument.

It is one of the features of the present invention to extend thecalculations to include three or more figures in the index series. Thisis effected by placing adjacent to each transverse series ofcomputations on the chart, a series of substitute computations based onthe same head numeral but with three figures in the other factor, thefirst two from the right being those on the index strip while the thirdor figure to the left is the numeral 1. Inasmuch, however, as thecomputations based on this enlarged factor all contain two or morefigures to the right which are the same as the computations based on thenumeral on the index series, it is unnecessary to place the completeproduct in the substitute column, instead only the A additional orchanged figures are printed therein and these are read with figures inthe main computations to give the complete product. Thus a great deal ofvaluable space on the chart is saved by the use of the partialcomputations and what is still more important, the width of theobservation opening is less than would be required for two completeseries of computations, and the total width of the machine iscorrespondingly reduced.

Another feature of my improved construction by which the range of theinstrument is increased is ,by placing on the chart, adjacent to eachhead or index numeral, the reciprocal thereof. This facilitatescalculations in division which as well as multiplication may be madeupon the instrui'n ent. Still further the usefulness of the machine isexten ed by placing upon the charts 2. cal index series in whichconsecutive L morals with their reciprocals are placed arias-cent toeach other. This reciprocal in dex is preferably distributed over anumber series are also placed on the chart, and other I data that willbe more specifically referred to hereinafter. I In the mechanicalconstruction of my 1mproved instrument, A is the case which ispreferably substantially rectangular in form and is preferably providedwith means of support by which the face is arranged in an oblique plane.Thus as shown, the case A is provided with a folding bail or leg B whichraises the outer end of the case and permits it to assume an inclinedposition with the lower end adjacent to the user.

C C, etc., are series of operating knobs or hand-wheels at the lower endof the case A which are used for adjusting the several charts therein.

The charts D, D, etc., are wound upon pairs of rolls E having their axesin parallel alinement and in a plane transverse to the face of the case.These rolls are preferably mounted at opposite ends on point bearings Fwhich permit them to turn with little frictional resistance. They arealso driven from their corresponding knobs or hand- Wheels through themedium of a master gear wheel G on the shaft of said hand- Wheel andmeshing with pinions H on the shafts of the rolls. The pinions arepreferably considerably smaller than the master gear wheel so as to stepup the speed of rotation of the chart and expedite the operation ofadjustment. To guide the charts upon the rolls, flanges I are arrangedat opposite ends which are of greater diameter than the coil when thechart is completely wound on one of the rolls. It is important to attachthe chart of the roll in such a manner as to relieve it from a localizedstress at the point of attachment which might result in tearing of thepaper. This I accomplish by forming a. slit in the roll which is obliqueto the radial line and as closely approximating a tangential arrangementas possible while still leaving segments on both sides of the slit. Inthis slit theend of the paper strip is placed and adjacent to it aninsert J of fiber having a rounded edge which will not cut thei paper incontact therewith. I

K are screws or other fastening devices for clamping the segmentstogether uponthe paper and. insert J. To compensate for the changingdiameter of the rolls which would cause the strip to travel faster uponone than the other, I provide a yieldable connection between the rolland lts drive shaft or axle. AS. shown, this consists in a spring Lwithin a recess L in the end of each roll, one end of said spring beingattached to the roll and the other end to the fi shaft or axle H onwhich the pinion H is mounted. Thus, if the speed of the paper isgreater or less than the peripheral speed of the roll when traveling atthe same angular speed as the shaft, the spring L will yield permittinga relative movement of the shaft and roll so as to equalize theperipheral speed of the latter to that of the paper.

M are the index strips arranged between the rolls for adjacent charts.These strips are of a width sufiicient to aecommodate'the columns offigures thereon and overlapping theadjacent rolls being held inaposition to always register the numerals thereon with the correspondingcomputations on the charts. The diameter of the chart rolls adjacent towhich the strips M are arranged will vary according to the amount of thechart which is reeled thereon, and conse quently if the index strip isfixed in position suflicient clearance space must be left for thelargest diameter of roll, which will result in leaving a space or gapbetween the index figures and the computations when the chart is woundon the other roll of thepair. To avoid such a result which interfereswith the ease in taking a reading, I have constructed an adjustableindex strip which is automatically maintained with its edge in contactwith the chart without regard to the position of said chart on the roll.As shown, the strip M is provided on its under side with a bracing stripM for holding it at all times straight, while the end of the strip isguided between flanges N and N at the upper and lower ends of the case.There is not, however, any positive attachment between the strip and thecase and on account of the position the strip will rest upon the rollsand will be moved thereby to adjust itself to the different positions ofthe chart. In all such movement .the registration of the figures on thestrip with the computations on the chart is accurately maintained.

The charts which are used in the machine are formed with parallellongitudinallyextending series of computations, with a series of head orindex numerals preferably at both edges of the sheet. These head orindex numerals O are'preferahly printed in large type to quickly catchthe eye, andadjacent thereto at one end of the roll'is printed in smalltype the reciprocal of the numeral P and at the other end of the rollsome other number having a definite relation thereto such as B which asshown is the ross tonnage. Intermediate the head or in ex numerals onopposite edges of the sheet is a transverse row of figures Q,constituting members of the parallel series of computations and allbeing products of the head numeral as one factor. Adjacent to the row offigures Q is a second row of gures Q printed in distinctive characters,as for instance if the first row is printed in common numerals thesecond may be printed in italics. This will permit of placing the tworows together without any intermediate spacing and still avoidconfusion.

The machine is preferably constructed with ten or more eharts'whiehtogether include computations of the series from 1 to 1,000. This ifequally divided would place the computations of 100 figures upon eachroll, but it may be found convenient to distribute the seriesunequallybetween the charts to aiford greater space on some foradditional data. However, the range of each chart is clearly indicatedby index nunumerals R printed adjacent thereto on the case. Upon severalof the charts, for instance upon the first four from the left may be.placed a series of consecutive numerals and their reciprocals.- Asshown, this series includes a series of dividends S from 1,000,000 to10,000,000, while the reciprocals S of said numbers range from 10,000 to1,001. The exact limit of the series is not however essential to theinvention, nor is the exact arrangement and distribution on the charts,but as shown the several portions of the series are placed upon thecharts to the left following after the portions of the main series ofcomputations.

Upon one of the charts as shown in Fig.

7, 1s placed a series of computations T based on fractional headnumerals T", as for 1nstance the common fractions 5 9; 2:, etc. Uponanother roll shown in Pig. 8 is placed in addition to the maincomputations,

computations in square feet based on dif.-'

ferent widths of lumber which are indicated by the head numerals U. Eachof the succeeding charts is provided .with additional data, but as thecharacter of this is varied according to the particular use to which themachine is placed and is not essential to the invention furtherdescription thereof will be omitted.

In use, all multiplications involving but two figures in the multiplierand not more than three in the multiplicand can be performed bv firstselecting theproper chart for containing the figure of the multiplicandby means of the index on the case. I This chart is then adjusted tobring the particular figure in view after which the user selects themultiplier from the series of. figuresV on the index strip and takesareading'of the product in. registration therewith. If

in place of two figures in the multiplier this is to be increased by100, as for instance 127, the numeral 27 on the index series is selectedand a reading taken from the substitute column in italics combined witha part of the figures in the main computations. Thus, if the multiplieris 127 as above indicated and the multiplica-nd is 149, there will befound in the substitute column in italics the figures 189, while in themain column are the figures 94:23. The desired product contains all ofthe figures in italics combined with the first two figures from theright in the main column and therefore reads 4023. Thus by observing therule of discarding all but two of the figures at the right in the maincolumn and using all of the figures in the substitute column, thecorrect reading, 18,923, may be taken as easily as if the entiresubstitute product were printed. At the same time the omission of twofigures inthe substitute column decreases the width of observationopening necessary, and materially diminishes the length of chart neededfor the entire series. Where it is desired to use the other data placedupon the charts in the performance of any calculation, access to thismay be obtained by quickly winding the first portion of the chartcontaining the main'computations beyond which the special data isplaced. The step up gearing between the operating handles and the rollswill greatly expedite this adjustment while the point bearings eliminatefriction so that the operation is easily performed.

One specific use of the additional data upon the charts is where it isdesired to obtain the reciprocal of a number for use in the calculation.The reciprocalixindex, as has been explained, is preferably distributedover a number of the rolls but the portion of the series on each roll isindicated b a suitable index on the case of the machine. Thus, byreferring to this index the proper chart is selected, the correspondingknob is turned to rapidly roll all the main computations on the chartbeyond which will be found the reciprocal index, and the particularnumber can then be readily obtained. As shown, four point reciprocalsare placed in this index but variations may be made according to theparticular uses for which the machines are designed.

It will be observed that the arrangement of the index stripsintermediate the charts is such that the exposed portion of the rollprojects beyond the plane of the index. This prevents the shadowing ofthe. roll which might occur if the indexes were differently arrangedandfacilitates the reading.

What I claim as myinvention is:

1. In a computing machine, the combination with a chart having aparallel series of I computations thereon, of a roll on which said chartis wound, flanges on said roll forming guides for the edges of saidcharts, and an index bearing a series of numerals upon which saidcomputations are based and with which they are registrable, said indexbeing freely movable to compensate for varying diameters of said. rolland being held in constant registration with the series of computationsthereon.

2. In a computing machine, the combination with a chart having parallelseries of computations thereon, of an index bearing numerals upon whichsaid computations are basedand with which they are registrable, andmeans for supporting said index and holding the same in constantregistration with said series of computations while permitting freemovement toward and from the axis of said roll to compensate for varyingdiameters.

3. In a computing machine, the combination with a plurality of charts,of adjacent rolls upon which said charts are wound and which areseparatelyadjustable, and an index intermediate said rolls automatically4. In a computing machine, the combination with a plurality of charts,of adjacent rolls on which said charts are separately wound, an indexbetween said rolls, and overlapping segments thereof being freelymovable toward and from the axis of said rolls to compensate for varyingdiameters, and guides at the ends of said indexes to hold the same inregistration with said charts. v

5. In a computing machine, the-combination with a case having atransparent face, a plurality of rolls exposed beneath said transparentface, charts separately wound u on said rolls and independently adjusta1e, and index strips intermediate said rolls restin in contact with thecharts thereon and reely adjustable to compensate for V varyingdiameters.

6. In a computing machine, the combination of a series of charts,rollsupon-which said charts are separately wound and which areindependently adjustable, index strips between said rolls resting uponsaid charts, and guiding means for said index strips to maintain a fixedregistration with said rolls While permitting freedom of movement tocompensate for varying diameters 7 In computing machine, the combinationwith a plurality of charts, of adjacent rolls upon which said charts arewound, and which are independently adjustable, and an index intermediatesaid rolls, automatically, freely adjustable to compensate for anyincrease or decrease in the diameter of the bearing rolls from theminimum di ameter to the maximum diameter thereof.

adjustable to the varying diameters thereof.

8. In a computing machine having a chart In testimony whereof I aflix mysignature itrranged to be Wound upon and unwound in presence of twoWitnesses.

rom a roll and bearing in'dicia, a floating index cooperating with theindicia of the ADOLPHUS DENNIS' 5 chart, and so mounted as toaccommodate 1 Witnesses:

itself to the varying diameter of the roll as I A. S. WOODWARD, 'thechart is Wound or unwound. ESTHER J. TARRELL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe "Commissioner of Iatents, Washington, D. C.

